Structure for the endpiece of tape rule

ABSTRACT

A structure for an endpiece of tape rule, the endpiece includes a squeeze mechanism and a fixing plate perpendicular to said squeeze mechanism, a rear portion of the fixing plate being riveted with the measuring tape. A front end of the fixing plate has a pair of tenons to engage with a perpendicular inserting plate, the inserting plate is inserted into a central mounting plate. By using a pivot to connect the inserting plate with a clamping plate in the squeeze mechanism, the squeeze mechanism is rotatable and its position can be changed, such that it is adapted for measuring an object from different positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a construction of an endpiece of a tape rule. Especially to an endpiece of a tape rule that can be rotated and secured in different positions, so as to measure articles from different directions and provide an extra utilization of the bottom surface of measuring tape.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] It is publically known that the tape rule is a mobile and convenient measuring tool. As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring tape B of conventional tape rule is stored in a housing C. At the end portion of the measuring tape, there is an endpiece A. The endpiece A contains a connecting plate A1 attached to an end of the measuring tape B, and a hook plate A2 perpendicularly extended from the connecting plate A1. By using the hook plate A2 of the endpiece A, the measuring tape would not be completely pulled into the housing C after measuring is performed. When using the tape rule, it is merely necessary for a person to pull the endpiece A and then put the endpiece A against the surface of an article.

[0005] However, the endpiece A of tape ruler has some disadvantages as follows:

[0006] Firstly, in order to connect the hook plate of the endpiece to the measuring tape, the area of hook plate A2 is made as small as possible. However, since the hook plate A2 is used to hook onto an edge portion of an article, after it is fixed, the measuring tape then is pulled out according to the movement of people, such that the length or distance is difficult to measure. If the area of hook is too small, it is difficult to hook the hook plate A2 onto an article and easy for it to slide away from the article to cause instant rewinding of measuring tape, which could be harmful to the user.

[0007] Secondly, since the hook plate A2 is extended in one direction, this construction enables the conventional tape rule to measure the length of articles only in one direction. It then presents a problem, for example, when a user wishes to hook onto the underside edge of an object, it is then inconvenient to use.

[0008] In addition, since the hook plate A2 is extended in one direction, the bottom surface of the measuring tape then becomes useless, and the usage of tape ruler is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved structure for the endpiece of tape rule to overcome limitations and disadvantages of the tape rule as described above.

[0010] According to the improved structure for the endpiece of tape rule of present invention, there is a squeeze mechanism forming the hook portion of the endpiece. A position and hooking angle of clamping plates of the squeeze mechanism can be changed, such that the tape rule of present invention can be sued to measure objects from different directions.

[0011] According to the improved structure of the endpiece of present invention, since the clamping plates of said squeeze mechanism are rotatable, a bottom surface of measuring tape can be printed with scales for measuring objects having underside edges, etc. This is another object of present invention.

[0012] According to the improved structure of the endpiece of present invention, since the convexed bottom surface of measuring tape can be printed with scales for measuring objects at this stage, the concaved surface of measuring tape is turned down and the two side edges of the measuring tape then would attach to the surface of the object, then it is not only convenient to measure but also convenient to accurately note marks on the surface of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of conventional tape rule.

[0014]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of the endpiece of present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3A is a plane view showing the combination of present invention.

[0016]FIG. 3B is a side view of FIG. 3A.

[0017]FIG. 4A is a plane view showing the squeeze mechanism after being rotated.

[0018]FIG. 4B is a side view of FIG. 4A.

[0019]FIG. 5A is a side view showing an example of using the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 5B is a side view showing another example of using the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an additional example of using the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another preferred embodiment of present invention.

[0023]FIG. 8A is a plane view showing the preferred embodiment of the structure of present invention as shown in FIG. 7.

[0024]FIG. 8B is a side view of FIG. 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] According to the present invention of the endpiece of the tape rule, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, the endpiece 1 includes a fixing plate 11, an inserting plate 12 and a squeeze mechanism 2. On a rear portion of the fixing plate, a plurality of mounting holes are formed, such that it is firmly attached to the end of measuring tape by rivets or another mechanical element. A concaved groove 13 is formed at the central part of the front end of the fixing plate. There is also a pair of tenons 14 formed on the front edge of the fixing plate 11. The tenons 14 are inserted into holes formed on the perpendicular inserting plate 12, and then the fixing plate 11 is combined together with the inserting plate 12. The inserting plate 12 is a horizontal plate with two side edges having a shape of circular arc. At a center of the inserting plate 12, there is a rivet hole 15 for holding a rivet 17; and there is a small stop hollow 16 formed on each surface of the side edges of the inserting plate 12.

[0026] The squeeze mechanism 2 includes a front clamping plate 3, a rear clamping plate 4, and a central mounting plate 5. The front clamping plate 3 and the rear clamping plate 4 clamp the mounting plate 5 therebetween to form a perpendicular hooking plate. A circular concaved furrow 31 is formed in the front clamping plate 3. A circular concaved furrow 50 corresponding to said concaved furrow 31 is also formed in the central mounting plate 5. There is also a half circular buckle clip 51 partially connected with the upper surface of the circular concaved furrow 50, such that the ends of the buckle clip 51 are flexible. The ends of said buckle clip 51 are formed as two extruded ears 52, 53. When the inserting plate 12 is inserted into the circular concaved furrow 50 from its open mouth, said extruded ears 52, 53 would mount into the stop hollows 16 formed on the surfaces of the side edges of the inserting plate 12. Besides, said rivet hole 15 formed at the center of said inserting plate 12 is opposite with the rivet hole formed on the rear clamping plate. The rivet 17 is inserted into the rivet hole 15 formed on the inserting plate 12 and is operated as a pivot of said squeeze mechanism 2.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, since the central part of the squeeze mechanism 2 is inserted with the inserting plate 12 which is combined with said fixing plate 11 to be fixed onto the end portion of measuring tape. And, said inserting plate 12 is pivotally combined with the rear clamping plate 4 by said rivet 17. Then the squeeze mechanism 2 is rotatable with the rivet 17 as a pivot. And, the inserting plate 12 can be stopped by the ends 52, 53 of said buckle clip 51 to be mounted into the stop hollows 16 formed on the surfaces of the side edges of the inserting plate 12. Consequently, the position of the squeeze mechanism 2 in corresponding to the fixing plate 11 or the measuring plate is adjustable.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the endpiece of the present invention is combined with the measuring tape of tape rule 7. By rotating the squeeze mechanism 2, the perpendicular hooking plate of squeeze mechanism 2 is adjustable to be in upward or downward position. Then length of the object 71 can be measured from its upper surface or its bottom surface. For example, the underside of a table also can be easily measured by rotating the endpiece 1. It would not be limited due to the different locations.

[0029] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, since the squeeze mechanism 2 can be rotated in 180°, the convexed bottom surface of the measuring tape would be more useful, that is, the convexed bottom surface 72 of the measuring tape can be printed with measuring scales. When the squeeze mechanism 2 is turned for 180° to hook another object, the two side edges of measuring tape would closely attach to the surface of the object, the measurement would be much more accurate and the measuring tape can be used as a rule for drawing.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B, according to the improved structure for the endpiece of tape rule of present invention, the buckle clip 51 of the central mounting plate 5 of the squeeze mechanism 2 is formed as a buckle ring 6 that can be separated from the body of the central mounting plate 5. By putting the separated buckle ring 6 into the concaved hollow 61 formed in the central mounting plate 5, then an identical function of squeeze mechanism still can be obtained.

[0031] In conclusion from above, by using the rotatable endpiece of the measuring tape of tape rule disclosed above, the tape rule would be adapted for measuring objects at different positions. It also can effectively increase the security in using the tape rule. There is no identical structure for the endpiece of a tape rule has ever seen by people. It is then an invention of novelty.

[0032] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. An endpiece of a tape rule comprising: a fixing plate attached to an end of a measuring tape of the tape rule; a squeeze mechanism having a front clamping plate, a rear clamping plate, and a central mounting plate located between and connected to said front and rear clamping plates; and an inserting plate pivotally combined with the squeeze mechanisms by a pivot; such that said squeeze mechanism including said clamping plates is selectively rotatable.
 2. The endpiece according to claim 1, wherein a concaved groove is formed at a central part of a front end of said fixing plate, and a pivot is inserted into said concaved groove and rivet holes are formed on said inserting plate and a clamping plate.
 3. The endpiece according to claim 1, wherein said fixing plate is combined with said inserting plate.
 4. The endpiece according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of tenons formed on a front edge of said fixing plate, and corresponding holes are
 5. The endpiece according to claim 2, wherein said inserting plate is flat and has two side edges formed in a shape of circular arc, said central mounting plate has a concaved furrow, said inserting plate is inserted into said concave furrow.
 6. The endpiece according to claim 5, wherein said inserting plate has a pair of small stop hollows formed on surfaces of two side edges.
 7. The endpiece according to claim 6, wherein said central mounting plate has a half circular buckle clip connected with the upper surface of the concaved furrow formed in said central mounting plate.
 8. The endpiece according to claim 7, wherein opposing ends of said half circular buckle clip are formed as two extruded ears to mount into the stop hollows formed on the surfaces of the side edges of said inserting plate.
 9. The endpiece according to claim 8, further comprising a half circular buckle located in the concave furrow formed in said central mounting plate.
 10. The endpiece according to claim 9, wherein opposing ends of said half circular buckle clip are formed as two extruded ears to mount into the stop hollows formed on the surfaces of the side edges of said inserting plate. 